2Corinthians 1:18-24 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.
‘God is true’ – true in contrast with false gods (2Chr. 15:3; Jer. 10:10; John 3:33; 17:3; 8:26; 1Thess. 1:9; 1Jn. 5:20; Rev. 6:10).
‘Preached’ [Greek: kerusso] to announce, or proclaim as a herald, without reference to the matter proclaimed, and without including the idea of teaching. It is translated “proclaim” (Luke 12:3; Rev. 5:2); “publish” (Mark 1:45; 5:20; 7:36; 13:10; Luke 8:39); and “preach” 52 times (2Cor. 1:19; 4:5; 11:4).
‘Yea’ – all God’s promises are yes and so be it, or yes and truth. In Him, they are always yes, and in Him, they are always truthful. Not one promise of God is no to the one who will believe and meet the conditions.
‘Amen’ – this word means truly or truth – so it shall be then as we proclaim in Jesus’ name.
‘Unto the glory of God by us’ – the promises of God were confirmed by Paul and the apostles to His own glory. God backed them up in their preaching.
‘He which stablishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God.’ Four great blessings of God (1:21-22): He confirms people in the faith (Rom. 15:8). He anoints with power (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; Heb. 1:9; 1Jn. 2:27). He seals with the stamp of ownership (Rom. 4:11; 2Tim. 2:19; Eph. 1:13; 4:30). He gives His Spirit of sonship (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 4:4-7).
‘I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.’ Here Paul returns to his subject of 2Corinthians 1:16. I call God to be witness that it was because I was afraid that I would have to use my power to judge you if I came, so I thought it best not to come at the time proposed (1:23-24).
‘Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy.’ Not that we want to come to lord it over your faith, but to help you.
Living the Word 